Weighted golf club

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, a golf club driver includes a club head and a shaft attached to the club head. In a particular embodiment, the ratio of the weight of the club head to the weight of the shaft is within the range of approximately 1.2 to approximately 1.6.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to golf clubs, and in an embodiment, but notby way of limitation, to weighted golf clubs.

BACKGROUND

Golf training aids are designed to improve a player's game primarily byadding distance to the player's golf shots and/or increasing theaccuracy of the player's golf shots. One type of training aid involvesadding one or more weights to a golf club. In the past, when drivers andother woods (now referred to as metals) were actually made out of wood,weight could be added to such clubs by drilling holes into the woodenclub head and then filling the holes with lead. More recently, with theadvent of hollow aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel driver heads,weight has been added to drivers for training purposes by placing aweighted ring over the club grip, down the shaft, and onto the topsurface of the club head. This is not dissimilar in concept to theweighted donut that baseball players use in connection with baseballbats. Adding lead tape to the outside of a driver club head to increasethe weight of the club has also been tried. Similarly, weight has beenadded to a golf club shaft for training purposes by adding lead tape tothe outside of the shaft, adding lead powder or pellets to the inside ofthe shaft, or making the shaft out of a completely solid steel material.

All of these prior methods however suffer from one or moredisadvantages. Since wooden drivers and wooden clubs are notmanufactured much anymore, drilling out and filling such a club headwith lead is no longer a viable option. Placing a weighted ring on aclub gives the club an unnatural feel, and the presence of the ring onthe club makes it difficult to hit a golf ball with the club. Placinglead tape on a club head is highly inaccurate, temporary, and imparts animbalance to the club head which takes away the natural feel of a cluband makes it difficult to hit a ball with that club. Therefore, it isnot all that surprising that such training aids are not that popular orprevalent among players at the present time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a golf club.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross section views of an example embodimentof a golf club head.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a golf club shaft.

FIG. 4 is a table containing example dimensions of a golf club shaft.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a golf club driver includes a club head and a shaftattached to the club head. In a particular embodiment, the ratio of theweight of the club head to the weight of the shaft is within the rangeof approximately 1.2 to approximately 1.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. It is to be understood that the variousembodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarilymutually exclusive. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may beimplemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location orarrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment maybe modified without departing from the scope of the invention. Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined onlyby the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings,like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout theseveral views.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of a golf club driver isillustrated. While the present disclosure uses as an example a golf clubdriver, embodiments also include other driver-like clubs that arereferred to as metals by those of skill in the art. Moreover, as used inthe written description and the claims of this document, the term“driver” is meant to include golf clubs referred to as metals (formerlyreferred to as “woods”). Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a driver (orother metal ) 100 including a club head 110, a shaft 120, and a grip130. The club head 110 is attached to the shaft 120 via an adhesiveand/or a ferrule 125 as is known in the art. The club head 110 includesa front face (or hitting surface) 112, a top surface 114, and a bottomsurface 116. In several embodiments, a ratio of the weight of the clubhead 110 to a weight of the shaft 120 ranges from approximately 1.2 to1.6. In several specific embodiments, the club head 110 ranges in weightfrom approximately 240 grams to approximately 450 grams, and the shaft120 ranges in weight from approximately 175 grams to approximately 250grams.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross section views of an embodiment of a golf clubhead. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, like reference numerals refer to like portionsof the club head. Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, and as previouslydisclosed, the club head 110 includes a front face (or striking surface)112, a top surface 114, and a bottom surface 116. As can be seen in thecross sections of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the front face, top surface, andbottom surface are joined together at seams 140. The club head may bemade out of several materials including aluminum, stainless steel, andtitanium. The shaft 120 is also visible in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and as canbe seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the shaft 120 is hollow. In an embodiment,the shaft 120 may be made out of steel or a steel alloy.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a golf club shaft 300. Theshaft 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of sections310A-310M. In other embodiments, there may be more or less sectionsdepending on the length of the shaft. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, thesection 310A at the butt end 320 of the shaft and the section 310M atthe tip end 330 of the shaft are somewhat longer than the othersections. The shaft 300 is hollow throughout its length, with the insideand outside diameters of the shaft decreasing from the butt end 320 tothe tip end 330. FIG. 4 discloses several specific examples of insideand outside diameters of the shaft (in inches) for shafts that weighapproximately 175, 190, 200, and 250 grams. As can be seen in FIG. 4,the inside and outside diameters at the butt end 320 are greater thanthe inside and outside diameters at the tip end 330. FIG. 4 furtherillustrates that in these embodiments the wall thickness of the shaft atthe butt end 320 is less than the wall thickness of the shaft at the tipend 330. It should be noted that the numbers listed in FIG. 4 are onlyexamples and are only approximate. Other inside diameters, outsidediameters, and shaft wall thicknesses could be used and still maintainthe benefits of the golf club of the present disclosure. In anotherembodiment, the shaft 300 does not have identifiable sections such as310A-310M as illustrated in FIG. 3. Rather, such a shaft may be similarto the shaft 120 illustrated in FIG. 1. In a shaft without sections suchas illustrated in FIG. 1, the inside and outside diameters of the shaftat the butt end, like the shaft 300 in FIG. 3, are greater than theinside and outside diameters of the shaft at the tip end.

In an embodiment such as that depicted in FIG. 2A, the front face 112may have a thickness of approximately 5.9 mm, the top surface 114 mayhave a thickness of approximately 2.8 mm, and the bottom surface mayhave a thickness of approximately 2.9 mm. These wall thicknesses aregreater than the wall thicknesses of club heads known in the art. A clubhead, such as the one depicted in FIG. 2A, with the approximatethicknesses as just indicated, and manufactured out of aluminum, wouldweigh approximately 310 grams, and when attached to a shaft that weighsapproximately 225 grams, such a club would have a club head weight toshaft weight ratio of approximately 1.24.

In another embodiment such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, thefront face 112 may have a thickness of approximately 5.9 mm, the topsurface 114 may have a thickness of approximately 1.9 mm, and the bottomsurface 116 may have a thickness of approximately 2.9 mm. These wallthicknesses are greater than the wall thicknesses of club heads known inthe art. A club head such as that depicted in FIG. 2A, with thethicknesses as just indicated, and manufactured out of aluminum, wouldweigh approximately 275 grams, and when attached to a shaft that weighsapproximately 200 grams, such a club would have a club head weight toshaft weight ratio of approximately 1.38.

FIG. 2B illustrates another embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, aweight 150 is added to the club head. FIG. 2B shows the added weightattached to the inside surface of the bottom surface 116. However, inother embodiments, the added weight 150 may be attached to one or moreof the other inside wall surfaces of the club head 110. The weight maybe a separate piece and attached to an inside wall of the club head viaan adhesive, or the weight 150 may be an integral part of the club head.In an embodiment such as the one depicted in FIG. 2B, the front face 112may have a thickness of approximately 6.2 mm, the top surface 114 mayhave a thickness of approximately 2.9 mm, and the bottom surface 116 mayhave a thickness of approximately 2.95 mm. These wall thicknesses aregreater than the wall thicknesses of club heads known in the art. A clubhead as depicted in FIG. 2B, when manufactured out of aluminum, with theapproximate thicknesses as just indicated, and the additional weight150, would weigh approximately 350 grams, and when attached to a shaftthat weighs approximately 250 grams, such a club would have a club headweight to shaft weight ratio of approximately 1.40.

In another embodiment such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2B, thefront face 112 may have a thickness of approximately 6.1 mm, the topsurface 114 may have a thickness of approximately 2.85 mm, and thebottom surface 116 may have a thickness of approximately 2.9 mm. Thesewall thicknesses are greater than the wall thicknesses of club headsknown in the art. A club head such as the embodiment depicted in FIG.2B, when manufactured out of aluminum, with the approximate thicknessesas just indicated, and the additional weight 150, would weighapproximately 400 grams, and when attached to a shaft that weighsapproximately 250 grams, such a club would have a club head weight toshaft weight ratio of approximately 1.60.

In yet another embodiment such as the embodiment depicted in 2B, thefront face 112 may have a thickness of approximately 6.2 mm, the topsurface 114 may have a thickness of approximately 2.85 mm, and thebottom surface 116 may have a thickness of approximately 2.9 mm. Thesewall thicknesses are greater than the wall thicknesses of club headsknown in the art. A club head such as the embodiment depicted in FIG.2B, when manufactured out of aluminum, with the approximate thicknessesas just indicated, and the added weight 150, would weigh approximately450 grams, and when attached to a shaft that weighs approximately 250grams, such a club would have a club head weight to shaft weight ratioof approximately 1.80.

In another embodiment such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, thefront face 112 may have a thickness of approximately 5 mm, the topsurface 114 may have a thickness of approximately 1.6 mm, and the bottomsurface 116 may have a thickness of approximately 2.3 mm. These wallthicknesses are greater than the wall thicknesses of club heads known inthe art. A club head such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, whenmanufactured out of aluminum, with the approximate thicknesses as justindicated, would weigh approximately 240 grams, and when attached to ashaft that weighs approximately 175 grams, such a club would have a clubhead weight to shaft weight ratio of approximately 1.37.

In yet another embodiment such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A,the front face 112 may have a thickness of approximately 6.2 mm, the topsurface 114 may have a thickness of approximately 2.2 mm, and the bottomsurface 116 may have a thickness of approximately 2.3 mm. These wallthicknesses are greater than the wall thicknesses of club heads known inthe art. A club head such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, whenmanufactured out of aluminum, with the approximate thicknesses as justindicated, would weigh approximately 260 grams, and when attached to ashaft that weighs approximately 190 grams, such a club would have a clubhead weight to shaft weight ratio of approximately 1.37.

The unique ratios of the weight of a driver (or metal) club head to aweight of a golf club shaft (as implemented in the disclosed severalembodiments), along with the overall increased weight of the club ascompared to clubs in the prior art, impart several novel advantages overgolf clubs known in the art. Club heads of the prior art typically weighapproximately 200 grams, and club shafts of the prior art typicallyweigh approximately 110 grams, resulting in a club head weight to shaftweight ratio of approximately 1.82. By comparison, as disclosed above,in one or more embodiments as illustrated by example in FIGS. 2A and 2B,the club head ranges in weight from approximately 240 grams toapproximately 400 grams, and the shaft ranges in weight fromapproximately 175 grams to 250 grams. Consequently, embodiments of thepresent disclosure are heavier than golf clubs known in the art and havea lower club head weight to shaft weight ratio ranging fromapproximately 1.2 to approximately 1.6.

These novel club head weight to shaft weight ratios impart severalunique advantages to a user of such a club. While in an embodiment, sucha club normally functions as a training club to be used on a practicerange, the several embodiments are not so limited, and may be usedduring an actual round of golf. In general, when used on the drivingrange, the heavier weight of the club acts to strengthen the musclesused in a player's golf swing. And in contrast to conventional weighttraining, wherein muscles are strengthened but not in connection withthe motion of a golf swing, the several embodiments strengthen themuscles in connection with a player's golf swing. Moreover, whileembodiments are heavier than conventional golf drivers and other metals,the embodiments are not so heavy that they adversely effect a player'sgolf swing. An additional advantage of the added weight is that forthose golfers who have a quick transition from the back swing to theforeswing, the added weight slows down that transition. By slowing downa golfer's transition from backswing to foreswing, a golfer is morelikely to maintain his swing plane, which will result in greateraccuracy to the golfer's shots. The heavier weight of the club alsoassists a golfer in perfecting the timing of the release of the clubhead. The release of the club head is the point at which the wristsunhinge to deliver maximum force to the golf ball. Through the use ofthe heavier club, the release is delayed until the last moment, therebyresulting in maximum club head speed to the swing. Additionally, whetherused on the practice range before a round of golf, or used during around of golf (e.g., on a particular hole in which distance off the teeis not so crucial), the subsequent use of a lighter conventional clubwill then result in greater club head speed, which in turn will resultin greater distance to a player's drive.

In the foregoing detailed description of embodiments of the invention,various features are grouped together in one or more embodiments for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimedembodiments of the invention require more features than are expresslyrecited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a singledisclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. It is understoodthat the above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications andequivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Thescope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms“including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents ofthe respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Moreover,the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely aslabels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on theirobjects.

The abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b) to allow areader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technicaldisclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that itwill not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims.

1. A golf club driver comprising: a substantially hollow club head; anda shaft, said shaft comprising a butt end and a tip end; wherein saidclub head is coupled to said shaft at said tip end; and wherein a ratioof a weight of said club head to a weight of said shaft comprises arange of approximately 1.2 to approximately 1.6.
 2. The driver of claim1, wherein said club head weighs approximately 400 grams and said shaftweighs approximately 250 grams.
 3. The driver of claim 1, wherein saidclub head weighs approximately 350 grams and said shaft weighsapproximately 250 grams.
 4. The driver of claim 1, wherein said clubhead weighs approximately 310 grams and said shaft weighs approximately225 grams.
 5. The driver of claim 1, wherein said club head weighsapproximately 275 grams and said shaft weighs approximately 200 grams.6. The driver of claim 1, wherein said club head weighs approximately260 grams and said shaft weighs approximately 190 grams.
 7. The driverof claim 1, wherein said club head weighs approximately 240 grams andsaid shaft weighs approximately 175 grams.
 8. The driver of claim 1,wherein said ratio of a weight of said club head to a weight of saidshaft comprises less than 1.2.
 9. The driver of claim 1, furthercomprising a grip, said grip coupled to said shaft at said butt end ofsaid shaft.
 10. The driver of claim 1, wherein said club head comprisesone or more of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel, and said shaftcomprises one or more of steel and a steel alloy.
 11. The driver ofclaim 1, wherein the combined weight of said club head and said shaft isgreater than approximately 400 grams.
 12. The driver of claim 1, furthercomprising a weight attached to an inside surface of the hollow clubhead.
 13. A golf club driver comprising: a substantially hollow clubhead; and a shaft, said shaft comprising a butt end and a tip end, andsaid shaft further comprising a hollow longitudinal axis; wherein saidclub head is coupled to said tip end of said shaft; and wherein saidclub head comprises walls wherein a thickness of said walls ranges fromapproximately 1.6 mm to approximately 6.2 mm.
 14. The driver of claim13, wherein a front face of said club head ranges in thickness fromapproximately 5 mm to approximately 6.2 mm; wherein a top surface ofsaid club head ranges in thickness from approximately 1.6 mm toapproximately 2.9 mm; and wherein a bottom surface of said club headranges in thickness from approximately 2.3 mm to approximately 3 mm. 15.The driver of claim 13, wherein the inside diameter of said tip end ofsaid shaft ranges from approximately 0.25 mm to approximately 0.27 mm;wherein the outside diameter of said tip end of said shaft ranges fromapproximately 0.33 mm to approximately 0.34 mm; wherein the thickness ofthe shaft wall at said tip end ranges from approximately 0.066 mm toapproximately 0.088 mm; wherein the inside diameter of said butt end ofsaid shaft ranges from approximately 0.53 mm to approximately 0.57 mm;wherein the outside diameter of said butt end of said shaft ranges fromapproximately 0.58 mm to approximately 0.60 mm; and wherein thethickness of the shaft wall at said butt end ranges from approximately0.044 mm to approximately 0.063 mm.
 16. The driver of claim 13, whereinsaid shaft comprises a plurality of sections, each section comprising adifferent inside and outer diameter.
 17. The driver of claim 13, furthercomprising a grip, said grip coupled to said butt end of said shaft. 18.The driver of claim 13, wherein said club head comprises one or more ofaluminum, titanium, and stainless steel, and said shaft comprises one ormore of steel and a steel alloy.
 19. A golf club driver comprising: asubstantially hollow club head; and a shaft, said shaft comprising abutt end and a tip end; wherein said club head is coupled to the tip endof said shaft; wherein said club head ranges in weight fromapproximately 240 grams to approximately 450 grams; and wherein saidshaft ranges in weight from approximately 175 grams to approximately 250grams.
 20. The driver of claim 19, wherein a ratio of a weight of saidclub head to a weight of said shaft comprises a range of approximately1.2 to 1.6.
 21. The driver of claim 19, wherein said club head comprisesone or more of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel, and said shaftcomprises one or more of steel and a steel alloy.
 22. The golf clubdriver of claim 19, wherein the weights of said club head and said shaftperfect the timing of the release of said club head when said driver isswung by a golfer.